skip to main content

Do I paint my new bluebird houses?

15 years ago

I just finished building six new bluebird houses for the spring and need to know two things. Do I paint them and if I do, what color is good? I hope I can paint since I made them from white pine boards.

Second, how high do I put them? I am putting them in a field.

Thanks to you bluebirders, Pife

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

nature_david
15 years ago
It's best not to paint them, but if you really wish to do so, just make sure the paint is non-toxic. And the houses should be about 5-15 feet high.
bluebars
15 years ago
pife,
Painting nestboxes is not necessary, but if you want to preserve the wood, you only need to paint the outside. To keep them cool, use a light color. Painting the exterior of the box white or light tan (before nesting season begins) can help reduce interior temperatures.
Here is a great site for reference about nestboxes, safe setup, and monitoring. You can also do a site search there for more info about paint and nestboxes.
BlueBars

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.sialis.org/index.html
Related Discussions
New Bluebird houses, need advice please
Q
Comments (10)
I second all Jane's thoughts. If you can be prepared, bluebirding is an extremely rewarding experience. Many of us(correction: MOST of us) have had to deal with house sparrows. I can't tell you how many people I've known who, in the first year hosting bluebirds they have success, and for some reason, the house sparrows become a bigger problem in the second year, and people are taken by surprise (or shock) when the house sparrows kill the male in the box, or the female as she incubates eggs, or they smash unattended eggs, or toss the eggs out. In my first experience, a male house sparrow killed 6 newborn hatchlings by pecking them on the head. So if you decide to proceed, just be prepared. Bet's web site, www.sialis.org is a wonderful resource, and we will be here if you need us. Another option is to add hole reducers and host chickadees, if they are in your area. The proper hole reducer will prevent house sparrows from entering. You might want to read up on that at the website linked below. P.S. The little round wooden thing that many bluebird nestboxes come with (some people call them "predator guards") which extends the entrance does not protect anything from predators. BlueBars Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.sialis.org/
...See More
I am in my new house, my new kitchen... BUT...
Q
Comments (17)
One way to handle putting an old self into a larger new kitchen is to draw a smaller old kitchen inside of it. All those things that used to live in the den? Or the basement? Or on the high shelves of the kids' closets? Those are still your least used things. It's great to be able to store them in the kitchen now, but you don't want to have the Christmas dishes and turkey roaster and martini glasses between you and the action. As much as you can, put the stuff you use the most away first, and do it in the tightest workflow area you can, best at point of use, designing your point of use at the closest comfortable place to the previous and next steps in the cooking process. If there's room leftover in your working path--like whole empty shelves or drawers, you can put in some of the least used stuff that makes sense in that location (roaster in the cooking zone, etc.) and put the rest of the overage in the more outlying areas, pantry, wherever isn't blocking you from using your kitchen efficiently. I think Buehl has winter dishes in her dish area because there was room (and she has a very efficient kitchen), but if you can tighten up your workspace by putting the Christmas china out, do it! And swap it in at Christmas time, if you use it all day for a month.
...See More
Re: What can I do with my new house, Exterior, etc. X-Post
Q
Comments (10)
Change out you siding with hardi board. Add a porch roof like the pic.posted that partically follows the roof line to camo. the fact that the roof is wider on one side. Starting at the new porch roof edge add a wide trim board that goes across to the other wall., where the main roof meets the side wall and use hardi shingles above in a different color than the body of the house. Consider nicer window upstairs. I cann,t see the total slope of your yard put it looks like you have enough slope to put in a rock retaining wall. Add a few semi large focal rocks above and some low growing evergreens and a nice stone walk way and multch . Add something like river rock and easy care plants down in front of the rock retaining wall and you probly have the nicest house on your block and it would all be easy upkeep if you use the right plants and multch.If your able to do it your self all that should be less than 3000. We did alot of the same stuff with ours this last year and consider it a learning exp. as well as sweat eguity.
...See More
Questions about a new bluebird house....
Q
Comments (4)
Hi Catherine- No, it is not too late to have your house up for bluebirds. I have that plastic wall up on one side for viewing, but I can open the other side for cleaning it out. You could get bluebirds for a 2nd or 3rd brooding according to where you are. My bluebirds just completed their 2nd nest today- 1st brood fledged ~ 2 1/2 weeks ago. You could also get Chickadees if they have had failed nestings so far, which happens a lot. If you do get bluebirds to nest, put up a wren guard after that 1st egg has been laid. You can actually make one out of cardboard from a cereal box. If you don't know what that is, there should be plenty of info online for you to follow. Very easy to do! I don't have wrens, but do have house sparrows, so I put up a sparrow spooker after 1st egg has been laid. If you don't get anything this season, be patient for next season. According to where you are, would get your box up by February because they start shopping around that time. I keep mine up all year in case they need to roost in winter, but check from time to time so you don't get mice, etc. Good luck! Nicole
...See More
mulchmamma
15 years ago
You could thoroughly coat the outside with linseed oil to help get a few more years out of the pine. Just keep checking the boxes every year for cracks (especially the roof).

If the pine is smooth on the inside, you'll need to take a chisel and cut in kerfs up to the hole. This will provide toe holds for the young for easier fledging.

Linda
aleksandras
15 years ago
Does this mean birds can't live in houses with painted walls? I mean human houses with pet birds.
griffin_MD
15 years ago
No, it means that the wood inside the nestbox should be left in its natural state to avoid having chemicals (found in paints and stains) from affecting eggs/nestlings. Most of the nestboxes on my trails are painted white or tan and this does indeed stretch the life of the nestbox, especially the roof which takes so much abuse from rain and sun.
Kathy
aleksandras
15 years ago
My zebra finches do not live in a natural state. They live in painted room. They are laying and raising nestlings like crazy. Now I'm tossing the eggs every week because I'm tired of it.
bluebars
15 years ago
Congratulations to you, and your zebra finches.
aleksandras
15 years ago
I'm not happy about it at all. Should I paint it more to stop it? :)
pife
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks to the posters. The houses are painted (outside surfaces) and will be scored on the inside before posting them in our new prairie. They look great to me and I hope they look great to the bluebirds. Pife
pkhodgsn
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
If I build a bluebird house out of cedar, will the woodpeckers raise heck with it? Maybe painting it will discourage them?

Related Stories

EXTERIORS Help! What Color Should I Paint My House Exterior?

By Jennifer Ott Design

Real homeowners get real help in choosing paint palettes. Bonus: 3 tips for everyone on picking exterior colors

HOUZZ QUIZ Houzz Quiz: What Color Should You Paint Your House?

By Jennifer Ott Design

Is white right? Maybe dark blue-gray? Take our quiz to find out which color is best for you and your home

PAINTING Help! I Spilled Paint on My Clothes — Now What?

By Jennifer Ott Design

If you’ve spattered paint on your favorite jeans, here’s what to do next

EXTERIOR COLOR Choosing Color: 1 House, 5 Exterior Paint Palettes

By Jennifer Ott Design

See how color variations change the look of this midcentury ranch-style home

CURB APPEAL When to Paint Your House Brown

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Nature loves brown, from rich soil to sunlit sand, and so do home exteriors with a traditional or Craftsman bent

COLOR Pick-a-Paint Help: How to Create a Whole-House Color Palette

By Laura Gaskill

Don't be daunted. With these strategies, building a cohesive palette for your entire home is less difficult than it seems

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How to Make Your Painted or Stained House Feel at Home in the Landscape

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Use color and texture to create a pleasing connection between your house and garden

EXTERIORS Should You Paint Your Brick House?

By Five Star Painting

See if paint is a good option for your exterior, and learn about the steps professional painters take

ENTRYWAYS Help! What Color Should I Paint My Front Door?

By Jennifer Ott Design

We come to the rescue of three Houzzers, offering color palette options for the front door, trim and siding

DECORATING GUIDES Design Dilemma: I Need Lake House Decor Ideas!

How to Update a Lake House With Wood, Views, and Just Enough Accessories

Sponsored

RTS Home Solutions

3 Reviews

BIA of Central Ohio Award Winning Contractor

More Discussions

Bluebirds never leave North Texas boxes.

0